PETA to Host ASU-Bashing Animal-Cruelty Presentation at ASU Campus

The animal-adoring group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is in a huff (what else is new?) over the treatment of animals in laboratories at Arizona State University and will be hosting a presentation on the university's campus to basically rip the university a new one.

The presentation is called "What Happens to Animals at ASU" and will go into detail about what PETA claims is the inhumane killing of animals in ASU classrooms.

As much as it pains us to admit it, PETA may actually have a point here.

PETA claims that in basic anatomy and physiology classes, students inject rabbits with drugs after a hole has been cut in the animals' chests -- so the undergraduates can watch the reaction of the rabbits' hearts and blood pressure. PETA claims the animals are then killed.

In another cuddly experiment at ASU, PETA alleges, students stick pins through the heads of frogs and then dissect them while their hearts are still beating.

If ASU were only having medical students conduct these types of experiments, we would say have at it. However, PETA asserts that these experiments are done in undergraduate education classes and that there are several alternative ways to teach the same information that doesn't entail harming animals.

PETA spokeswoman Holly Beal tells New Times that Capaldi completely ignored the petition and an invitation to debate PETA representatives at the presentation.

Calls to both Capaldi's office and to ASU spokeswoman Julie Newberg were not returned.

As for the presentation, we've seen some of the propaganda PETA produces for these types of things -- usually comprised of gruesome videos of chickens being slaughtered. They're often horrific enough to make us consider not eating meat. Then we remember how delicious chickens can be, and it's straight to KFC.

Beal assures us that the ASU event is meant to be a discussion, not propaganda, but admits that a "non-graphic" slideshow will be part of the presentation.

In fine PETA fashion, a person in a bunny suit will greet people as they walk into the auditorium holding posters that say, "I'm scared of needles, too."

"We had to go there; you know how we are," Beal says.

Oh, we know. We're just glad you do, too.

The presentation will be held on Tuesday, March 2, at noon in the Memorial auditorium (Room 230) on the ASU campus. If you plan on attending, we would advise leaving your chinchilla coat at home.